In article <Xns97DFDB7B11F93lady@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>,
The Bearded Lady <lady@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> "Ken McElhaney" <mcelhaney@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in
> news:1150072832.052057.92640@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> >
> > Ubiquitous wrote:
> >> khalleron@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote:
> >> >ANIM8Rfsk wrote:
> >> >> Rockoftherock at aaronpynn32@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
wrote on 5/17/06 6:00 AM:
> >>
> >> >> > Bringing back MST3K and having a new Joe Bob Briggs show would
> >> >> > go along way to bringing in more viewers.
> >> >> >
> >> >>
> >> >> Joe Bob is always a good thing.
> >> >>
> >> >> MST3K is apparently controlled by so many different people it's
> >> >> unlikely we'll ever see it again.
> >> >
> >> >Um, no, it's controlled with Best Brains, Inc., which still exists.
> >> >
> >> >I'm sure if Sci-fi made an offer, they'd not have much trouble
> >> >bringing it back. Maybe with a little different structure, but the
> >> >show restructured so many times during the run anyway, that wouldn't
> >> >really matter much.
> >>
> >> MST3K has run its course. Get over it.
> >
> > Yea, it's been six years now (man, how time flies). There is a
> > "MST3K-ish" show already on the air called "Cheap Seats" on ESPN
> > Classic that is okay.
> >
> > It's not that MST3K got old or less funny, it's just that the era in
> > which cable networks are desperate to fill two hours with one program
> > are over with. Add to that the rising costs of obtaining old films for
> > the show and the likelyhood of MST3K coming back in any recognizable
> > form is less than nil.
> >
> > But I can see Mike Nelson, Kevin Murphy, & Bill Corbett doing some
> > type of half hour program together. That is certianly possible.
> >
> > Ken
> >
>
> Just *why* did they cancel MST3K in the first place?
In 1988 at KTMA-TV, they cancelled it because the station was going
bankrupt and they couldn't even afford the $200 (in total) they paid the
cast. Plus, their lawyers privately told them that the way they'd been
using the movies they were riffing on was probably illegal. Plus,
ratings were pretty good, but flat, and TV series need to show constant
GROWTH in ratings or they are in trouble.
In 1996, at Comedy Central, they cancelled it because senior management
grew to detest the idea that their signature series was not being
produced there, in the center of the universe, New York, but in
clod-hopper flyover country. Plus, it was getting increasingly expensive
to pay for the rights for the movies they were riffing. Plus, ratings
were pretty good, but flat, and TV series need to show constant GROWTH
in ratings or they are in trouble.
In 1999, at Sci-Fi Channel, the executive who saved the series, because
he actually "got" it, left, and a different executive came in, one who
didn't get it, and who noticed that it was getting increasingly
expensive to pay for the rights for the movies they were riffing. Plus,
ratings were pretty good, but flat, and TV series need to show constant
GROWTH in ratings or they are in trouble.
Throughout all its 11 years on TV, one thing remained constant for
MST3K, it was never really a ratings hit. MST3K is THE most
well-remembered show almost nobody actually watched. Select a random
person on the street, ask him or her about MST3K. In all likelihood
their eyes will light up and they'll and say, "Yeah, I LOVED that show!"
Now quiz this person. How often did you watch it? How many episodes did
you see? What was your favorite episode? You'll see the light quickly
fade from their eyes. What you'll mostly likely get is "Well, I saw it
once at a friend's house..."
As one its biggest fans, I'm here to tell you: MST3K's devoted audience
was a mile wide and an inch deep. "The right people will get it," Joel
said. Too bad there aren't enough of the right people.
Chris "Sampo" Cornell
Satellite News
MST3K.com
|
